Middlesex completed an emphatic LV=County Championship win over Somerset by nine wickets thanks in large to a superb bowling display by Tim Murtagh.

Leading wicket-taker in the country Murtagh finished with match figures of 10-77 at Taunton as the visitors claimed the spoils in three days.

The hosts began on 112-5 in their second innings, 83 runs behind after the follow on and although they put up a fight with Peter Trego (82) and Jos Buttler (85) they were eventually dismissed for 265.

Murtagh took 6-49 from 21.5 overs which left Middlesex needing 71 to win and they reached their target for the loss of just one wicket in 12.3 overs.

Somerset restored some pride with the efforts of Peter Trego and Jos Buttler, who had come together at 35 for five the previous afternoon.

They again showed sensible shot selection on a flat pitch against a wearing ball and extended their partnership to 122 before being parted in the 47th over of the innings.

Alfonso Thomas helped Buttler add a further 28 for the seventh wicket before departing and then Jack Leach assisted Buttler take the score to 208 for seven at lunch. Leach was bowled off an inside-edge by left-arm spinner Tom Smith for 21.

Buttler hit a straight six off Smith as he ran out of partners, but then appeared to check a drive off Gareth Berg and, with one hand off the bat, lofted a catch to mid-off. He had faced 175 balls and hit 10 fours and a six in an innings spanning nearly four and a half hours.

Despite a third and much longer rain-break, with Middlesex 11 without loss as they targeted the 71 runs needed for victory, the players returned to the field at 6.20pm to finish the game.

Chris Rogers chopped a ball from Jamie Overton onto his stumps, having made 25, but Sam Robson and Joe Denly saw their team home, having claimed the extra half hour.

The visitors took 22 points and Somerset, who have yet to win a Championship game this season only three.